On Tuesday night, the Reading Royals (35-14-6-2) defeated the Worcester Railers (27-24-4-2) 6-3 in front of 2,347 home fans at the Santander Arena.
Before the game, the Reading Royals signed goalie Mike Robinson to a standard player contract (SPC). Meanwhile, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms recalled goalie Pat Nagle and defenseman Garrett McFadden.
In the first period, Railers forward Steve Jandric (1) scored a power-play that put Worcester up 1-0. Harrison Markell assisted the goal. With thirty-three seconds left in the first period, Reading defenseman Garret Cockerill (4) tied the game 1-1.
In the second period, the Royals took a 2-1 lead with under ten minutes to play by forward Patrick Bajkov (21). Brad Morrison and Trevor Gooch assisted Bajkov’s goal.
Less than a minute later, Railers forward Max Newton (1) tied the game 2-2 with an assist from Jordan Smotherman. At 15:55, the Railers took a 3-2 lead on a shorthand goal by Jacob Hayhurst (14). With a minute left in the second period, Royals forward Trevor Gooch (26) tied the game 3-3 with assists by Patrick Bajkov and Jared Brandt.
Six minutes and forty-seven seconds into the third period, Royals forward Thomas Ebbing (23) put Reading back up 4-3 with assists by Jacob Pritchard and Kenny Hausinger.
A minute later, Trevor Gooch (27) scored his second goal, extending the Royals lead 5-3. Brad Morrison and Mason Millman assisted Gooch’s goal.
With less than a minute left in the game, Trevor Gooch (28) completed the hat trick with his third goal that sealed the game for the Royals 6-3. It was Gooch’s second hat trick of the season.
The Royals finished the night with 33 shots, 0/5 on the power-play, and Hayden Hawkey made 22 of 25 saves.
The Royals and Railers play again at the Santander Arena tonight at 7 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased courtesy of our friends at StubHub.
